TDJazz
forTeens
Dates:
Oct 5 – Dec 14 (Fall)
Jan 25 – May 17 (Spring)
Time: 10AM – 5PM (schedules vary)
Ages: 13 – 18
Location: Center for Arts Education, NJPAC
Tuition: $700 per semester; $1,200 for full year
Submission deadlines:
Sep 22, by 11:59 PM (Fall)
Jan 12, by 11:59PM (Spring)
Mark Gross
This comprehensive and sequential jazz education program develops well-rounded young performers through access to life-changing experiences.
Jazz for Teens on tv!
Elite Ensembles
TD Jazz for Teens is a comprehensive and sequential jazz education program that develops well-rounded young performers through access to life-changing experiences. Students receive top-notch musical training and study with world-class working artists in courses including technique, theory and composition. The curriculum also includes rehearsals in large and small ensembles, private instruction, master classes with world-class musicians and GRAMMY Award-winning artists Christian McBride and Stefon Harris; vocal instruction and ensemble with jazz artist Jackie Jones; and a new composition and arranging class with saxophonist Lance Bryant. Students will have opportunities for artistic exchanges and performances within the community in addition to college and career exploration. Through participation in this hallmark program, students become more than musicians — they grow into exceptional people with confidence to take on the world.
Free add-ons!
in the mix
creative coaching
creator’s room
- Must be an active member of Jazz for Teens
- Must be proficient on their instrument
- Be part of a small elite ensemble
- Opportunity to present all forms of jazz and popular music
- Encouraged/mentored in composing and arranging original material
- Personal mentorship from Mark Gross and Jazz for Teens faculty
Important! Select your instrument for information about placement
Although no previous jazz experience is required, all students will be asked to record a short video of themselves performing and complete a music theory test. This is so we can place you in the right ensemble for your skill level and make sure you get instruction that meets your needs. Please click the link for more information.
Students are required to submit a video for ensemble placement and complete a theory test for theory-level placement.
Students less experienced with jazz improvisation and theory, or any other aspect listed should not be anxious about these requirements as the program caters to all levels.
Beginning students should simply demonstrate any of the below criteria to the best of their ability. If you’re unfamiliar with any of the material or new to improvising, don’t be intimidated or embarrassed; do the best that you can do!
TD Jazz for Teens Program welcomes beginning and experienced students alike. You are coming to this program to learn and we are ALL still learning.
Video Guidelines
- Your video should be in mp4 or MOV video format. You can use your phone, computer, or camera to record.
- Your video should have a length of 5-7 minutes.
- Film horizontally with your face in the top 2/3 of the screen
- Film indoors to avoid the ambient sound (wind etc.).
- Once your video is complete, please upload it to YouTube and name the video “Jazz for Teens Placement Video (Your Name and Instrument)
How to submit your video placement and theory test
- Click here for the placement form.
- Once you have registered, you will be added to a Jazz for Teens Google classroom for the program and you will receive an assignment to submit your completed video and theory test.
- Once you have been added to Google Classroom, feel free to post comments or ask questions in google classroom about your video & theory placement assignment!
- Please upload the YouTube link of your video and the completed theory test to google classroom by the due date assigned.
Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Flute, Clarinet, Piano, Bass, Guitar
Scales Required
Chromatic Scale (full range of the instrument)
Dorian Minor Scale (Keys: D-, G-, C-, F-, A-, E-)
Major Scale (Keys: C, F, Bb, Eb, G, D)
Dominant 7th Scale (Keys: G7, C7, F7, Bb7, D7, A7)
Tune Recording
Please prepare one tune from the list below. You can record yourself playing to a play-along track.
Instruments (Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Flute, Clarinet, Piano, Bass, Guitar)
Tune #1 Barefoot Sunday Blues (Cannonball Adderley)
Sheet Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkF8oIavCFk
Tune #2 Oleo (Sonny Rollins)
Sheet Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IY29EZb1pI
Tune #3 Doxy (Sonny Rollins)
Sheet Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpueyrkcMyQ
Drums
Drummers will be asked to demonstrate jazz drum-set styles including
Straight-ahead swing feel in any ballad (with brushes) at a tempo of 60 bpm
Medium tempo bossa-nova
Up-tempo samba feel
Medium tempo two-feel swing
Shuffle groove
Tune Recording
Please prepare one tune from the list below. You can record yourself playing to a play-along track. We suggest that drummers use the piano sheet music as their lead sheet when recording.
Tune #1 Barefoot Sunday Blues (Cannonball Adderley)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkF8oIavCFk
Tune #2 Oleo (Sonny Rollins)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IY29EZb1pI
Tune #3 Doxy (Sonny Rollins)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpueyrkcMyQ
Snare Drum Solo (prepare a minimum of one)
Drummers choose one of the following snare drum solo pieces that is most challenging within their comfort level. Drummers are welcome to record more than one of these solo pieces if they wish.
Snare Solo no. 01 – Challenge Level 1 – All American Drummer – Wilcoxon
Snare Solo no. 03 – Challenge Level 2 – All American Drummer – Wilcoxon
Snare Solo no. 12 – Challenge Level 3 – All American Drummer – Wilcoxon
Vocalists
Scales Required
Chromatic Scale (full range)
Major Scale (any key)
Dorian Minor Scale (any key)
Dominant 7th Scale and chord arpeggios (any key)
Other Requirements
Singers with previous jazz experience should also be prepared to scat a bebop head in any key.
Tunes Required for Vocalists
Tune #1 All of Me (Marks/Simons)
Sheet Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JaJtNLhlfk
Tune #2 On The Sunny Side Of The Street (Jimmy McHugh)
Sheet Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbLL7IX4b3Q
Tune #3 How Insensitive (Antonio Carlos Jobim)
Sheet Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x2i2GITQ0Y
Please read this important information prior to registering for any course
Your safety is our priority. Since the pandemic began, we’ve collaborated with medical professionals, invested in building upgrades, and put new procedures in place to protect our guests, staff, volunteers, and faculty. Just a few things you might want to know: Masks are welcomed but not required. Faculty and staff are required to be vaccinated. And you can feel safe knowing our HVAC system meets industry standards for virus ionization and filtration and our cleaning processes follow all CDC recommendations. Further details on program protocols are here and specific details on procedures are shared upon completed registration and during program orientations.
Tuition Information, Refund Policy and Attendance
Tuition must be paid in full or a payment plan must be in place prior to the first session.
If a student withdraws prior to the start of the first session, a full refund will be issued.
If a student withdraws after attending the second session, a 50% refund will be issued.
If a student withdraws after attending three sessions, all tuition payments are non-refundable.
*Important* If a student is absent for the first two sessions without any communication or advance notification, they will be automatically withdrawn from the program and the full tuition payment will be forfeited. This allows for additional students to join the program from the waitlist.